NOW EXPERIENCING:Untitled

A stylish, art-loving, flexible local that’s as good for a quick snack and a glass of wine from a well-considered list as it is for a meal with all the bells and whistles.

Food at Untitled Bar in Melbourne
Why you goEvery neighbourhood needs a good local, the sort of place you feel comfortable visiting on a regular basis, knowing it will do the trick. It might be a solo glass of wine and bowl of pasta at the bar, a low-key date night with your main squeeze, celebratory cocktails with a mate paired with a few top-notch oysters and decent bread for ballast, or dinner with friends, knowing there’s something delicious and comforting for even the hard-to-please members of your circle. Untitled checks all the items on that list and does it in a style that lures regulars from beyond the Richmond postcode. Two levels of the Swan Street building have been beautifully kitted out by Flack Studios, which attracted international attention after giving pop star Troye Sivan’s Melbourne pad a makeover. It’s all about texture and colour with lots of cosy curves, and smart finishes, from brass and timber to marble and leather. There’s notable art on the walls, too – just right for a neighbourhood that leans creative professional. The food and drinks lists hit the sweet spot between well-considered and not too extensive – you don’t have to wade through page after page before coming to a decision. It’s a classic user-friendly local with a warm and relaxed attitude that can make you a little envious of the Richmond denizens who can legitimately call this their regular.
Why you stay

The two levels of Untitled each offer distinct seating and atmospheres. Upstairs it’s a more traditional dining room decked out with dark colours, indoor plants and a light-filled “garden” room sectioned off by rippled-glass panels. Downstairs it’s more bustling and casual, with warm timber and a handsome horseshoe bar flanked by comfortable, leather-upholstered barstools. It’s the ideal perch for enjoying a cocktail from a list that leans towards the classics – fine versions of Martinis, Negronis and Margaritas included – or a Peroni from the tap, perhaps. The spaces are clean-lined and elegant, and brightened by the warmth of the service. The waitstaff are efficient and personable in equal measure, and handy with a suggestion should you be struggling to choose between the rice and pea arancini balls or the scallop crudo with green tomatoes and saltbush (hint: order both). 

 

Table at Untitled Bar in Melbourne
Red wine being poured at Untitled Bar
What drink to orderThe well-balanced drinks list has a little something for everyone, whether you want to kick things off with a dry, salty Spanish manzanilla sherry or keep things alcohol-free with a blood-orange kombucha. The wine list, featuring both Australian and European labels, includes a generous range of wines by the glass, and a selection of wines from Mitchelton winery in Victoria’s Nagambie, owned by the family of Untitled co-founder Andrew Ryan. It produces some top drops, including a smooth but powerful shiraz made with fruit from Heathcote and a lovely full-bodied roussanne.
What to pair it withUntitled’s chef Timothy Martin used to work at the European in Melbourne’s CBD and has a good grip on how to structure a menu for both the snackers and those settling in for the long haul. Fine oysters are teamed with a tasty mignonette dressing that veers away from the traditional combination of shallots and vinegar with the smart addition of celery heart, adding a robust, earthy quality that works a treat. For those who want something sweet to accompany their Champagne, don’t miss the excellent version of medovik, the layered eastern-European honey cake – it may just steal your heart. 
Food at Untitled Bar in Melbourne
Regular’s tipIf you’re after a nightcap at the end of the meal, you need look no further than right next door, where Untitled’s sibling bar, The Ugly Duckling, is available for all your cocktail and whisky needs.
Don’t leave withoutChecking out the upstairs bathrooms – they’re sleek and stylish with standout terrazzo tiling.
Who to take:As with all well-run neighbourhood joints that understand the local brief, Untitled is good at meeting any circumstance you throw at it, whether that’s a family gathering to celebrate one of life’s milestones or a second date to toast the fact you’re both enthusiastic about another get-together.